Tag Archives: colors

Dressing for the Great Migration

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Lynn

As a historian, I find comfort in considering how earlier generations have dealt with times of great upheaval. The most obvious parallel to today is the flu epidemic of 1918, but the First World War and its aftermath caused massive … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What to Wear in a Pandemic

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Lynn

This is not a post about politics, but let’s get the details out of the way.  My husband is a news junkie, tuning into Trump’s daily news conferences lately.  As a valued scout for my blog, it didn’t take him … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020s | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Color Advice for the Gray Haired Woman, 1945

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Lynn

What determines the colors that look good on you? There is an entire industry built up to help you answer that question today.  In this 1945 advertisement from Helena Rubenstein, however, you need look only to your hair color for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Bipartisan Fashion, 1977

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Lynn

Given today’s political contentiousness, it is reassuring to remember a moment in American history when Democrats and Republicans stood together to advocate for women’s rights.  In 1977, the federal government sponsored a National Women’s Conference to discuss the status of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

African American Women’s Club, 1952

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Lynn

What a wealth of different clothing styles in this photograph of mother’s support group for the African American sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.  The woman standing on the far left in the front row looks as if she had no interest … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Rookwoods, 1907

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Lynn

Sometimes you find astonishing information on the back of old snapshots.  This one turned out to be a treasure.  It reads: “1907–Miss Helen Culver and Miss French at their home Rookwoods, Lake Forest, Ill.  Back entrance.”  Imagine my delight when … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“Think Pink,” 1957

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Lynn

My post on Mamie Eisenhower in pink reminded several of you the wonderful 1957 tune “Think Pink” from Funny Face.  In the song, a women’s magazine editor named Maggie Prescott attempts to introduce a new color craze to the American … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged | 2 Comments

Pretty in Pink, 1953

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Lynn

At the beginning of the twentieth century, fashion advisors warned older women to avoid the color pink.  In a speech called “The Fine Art of Growing Old,” published in Ladies Home Journal in 1903 one such expert warned “A pink … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s | Tagged , | 6 Comments

A Uniform for the Old–A Lace Collar on a Black Dress

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Lynn

Last week’s photo reminded me that the black dress with a lace collar served as a kind of uniform for the old in the first half of the twentieth century.  The outfit combines two elements deemed necessary in any older … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Visiting the New York World’s Fair

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Lynn

The New York Public Library has a huge digital collection of photographs and documents from the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair.  Among the photos, you can find not only the expected ones of striking buildings, but also hundreds of shots … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, General | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments